Hand held non-adhesive tape dispenser with friction brake

ABSTRACT

Disclosed is an apparatus and method for dispensing non-adhesive tape carried on a spool to an article wherein the spool has a spool bore therethrough. The apparatus comprises a casing having a casing bore therethrough adapted to rotatably receive a support member therein. The apparatus further comprises a spool support for resistively and rotatably supporting the spool around the casing bore and a dispenser portion located in the casing for dispensing the non-adhesive tape therethrough. The method comprises supporting the casing on a support member located within the casing bore and securing a free end of the tape to the article through a dispenser portion of the casing. The method further comprises rotating the spool within the casing as to unwind the non-adhesive tape while the casing is moved around the article with the dispenser portion maintained in radial alignment with the article.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of Invention

The present invention relates to dispensing tape in general and inparticular to a method and apparatus for dispensing non-adhesive tapes.

2. Description of Related Art

Pipes are often connected to each other by threaded ends. It is knownthat for such connections a threaded seal tape is typically used to sealthe connection. A commonly used threaded seal tape ispolytetrafluoroethylene tape or PTFE tape commonly known as plumberstape or Teflon® tape. PTFE tape is typically sold in a roll having ahole through the middle. In use, the PTFE tape may be wrapped around theexposed end of the threads of a pipe before it is screwed into anadjoining connector or pipe. A typical method of wrapping PTFE tape isfor the user to grip the roll of PTFE tape between their thumb and oneof their fingers. The user may then apply frictional resistance to theunwinding of the tape by squeezing the roll of PTFE tape therebetween.

PTFE tape is known to have low friction for lubricating the connectionbetween the pipes. PTFE tape also typically does not use an adhesive tosecure it to the pipe, but rather while the PTFE tape is being wrappedaround the pipe, tension is applied to the tape to pull the tape intothe threads and plastically deforms the tape to the threads.

A common problem with PTFE tape is the fact that it lacks an adhesive.This may result in the tape freely unraveling from the roll if it isinadvertently released by the user. This may result in excessive amountsof tape unwound from the roll which may then become dirty or tangled.Such tangled portions of the tape are often discarded and thereforewasted.

An additional difficulty with PTFE tape is the fact that it is appliedby the user applying a tension to the tape so as to deform the tape intothe threads. Because PTFE tape has no adhesive and therefore noresistance to being freely unwound from the roll, the PTFE tape itselfdoes not provide a tension to the tape to secure it to the threads. Itis therefore required that the user apply an appropriate level oftension to the tape for application to the threads. Tension is typicallyapplied by the user maintaining a frictional grip on the roll as thetape is unwound therefrom. The user may therefore control the amount offriction applied to the tape by controlling their grip on the roll. Thismay be difficult to accurately or consistently control in manysituations or for people with less experience and practice.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to a first embodiment of the present invention there isprovided a method for dispensing non-adhesive tape carried on a spool toan article wherein the spool has a spool bore therethrough. The methodcomprises providing a casing having a casing bore therethrough whereinthe casing resistively and rotatably supports the spool around thecasing bore. The method further comprises supporting the casing on asupport member located within the casing bore and securing a free end ofthe tape to the article through a dispenser portion of the casing. Themethod further comprises rotating the spool within the casing as tounwind the non-adhesive tape while the casing is moved around thearticle with the dispenser portion maintained in radial alignment withthe article.

The support may comprise a finger of a user. The dispensing portion maycompressibly grip the non-adhesive tape. The casing may rotate aroundthe support while the casing is moved around the article. The casing mayrotate on the support. The casing may rotate on a bearing secured to thesupport

According to a further embodiment of the present invention there isprovided an apparatus for dispensing non-adhesive tape carried on aspool to an article wherein the spool has a spool bore therethrough. Theapparatus comprises a′ casing having a casing bore terethrough adaptedto rotatably receive a support member therein. The apparatus furthercomprises a spool support for resistively and rotatably supporting thespool around the casing bore and a dispenser portion located in thecasing for dispensing the non-adhesive tape therethrough.

The support member may comprise a finger of a user. The casing mayinclude a hub being concentric with the spool.

The casing may include a sleeve having the casing bore therein whereinthe casing is rotatable about the sleeve. The sleeve and the casing mayinclude a bearing therebetween. The sleeve may have a central axiswherein the casing is rotatable about the sleeve about the central axis.The spool may be rotatable about the central axis. The sleeve may beadapted to grip the support member. The sleeve may be adapted toslidably receive the support member.

One of the spool or the casing may include a biased protrusion adaptedto engage one of a plurality of corresponding notches in the other ofthe spool or the casing. The plurality of notches may be orientedradially around the casing bore such that rotation of the spool withinthe casing will cause the protrusion to engage successive notches. Thenotches may be located on the hub, wherein the protrusion radiallyextends inwardly from the spool. The spool may include a spool axis andsidewalls perpendicular thereto. The notches may be located on at leastone inner surface of the casing adjacent to the spool wherein theprotrusion extends from a corresponding sidewall to the at least oneinner surface.

The notches may be located on at least one side wall wherein theprotrusion extends from a corresponding inner surface of the casing tothe at least one sidewall.

The spool may include an inner cylinder. The casing may include firstand second sides wherein the inner cylinder is frictionally engaged bythe first and second sides of the casing. The apparatus may furthercomprise friction assisting pads between the inner cylinder and thefirst and second sides of the casing.

The spool includes side walls extending radially from the innercylinder. The casing includes first and second sides wherein the sidewalls are frictionally engaged by the first and second sides of thecasing. The apparatus further comprises friction assisting pads betweenthe side walls and the first and second sides of the casing. Thedispenser portion may frictionally bear against the non-adhesive tapepassing therethrough.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In drawings which illustrate embodiments of the invention whereinsimilar characters of reference denote corresponding parts in each view,

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an apparatus according to the presentinvention applying an adhesiveless tape to the threads of a pipe.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the apparatus of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the apparatus of FIG. 1 taken alongthe line 3-3 showing an indexed resistor according to a first embodimentof the apparatus.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the apparatus of FIG. 1 taken alongthe line 4-4 showing an indexed resistor according to a furtherembodiment of the apparatus with the spool advanced to illustrate theindexed ring.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the apparatus of FIG. 1 taken alongthe line 4-4 showing a frictional resistor according to a furtherembodiment of the apparatus.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the apparatus of FIG. 1 taken alongthe line 4-4 showing an alternate frictional resistor according to afurther embodiment of the apparatus.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the apparatus of FIG. 1 having a tensilemember for gripping the finger of a user.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a biased wall member for gripping thefinger of a user within the finger hole of the apparatus of FIG. 1.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of an apparatus according an alternativeembodiment of the present invention having a selectably refillablecasing.

FIG. 10 is a cross sectional detail view the dispensing portion of theapparatus of FIG. 1 according to an alternative embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a cross sectional detail view the dispensing portion of theapparatus of FIG. 1 according to an alternative embodiment.

FIG. 12 a is an side elevation view of the apparatus of FIG. 1 applyingPTFE tape to a pipe at a first position.

FIG. 12 b is an side elevation view of the apparatus of FIG. 1 applyingPTFE tape to a pipe at a second position.

FIG. 13 is an exploded perspective view of the apparatus of FIG. 1without a finger sleeve according to a further embodiment of the presentinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to FIG. 1, pipes 8 commonly include a threaded end 12 forsecuring to fittings and other pipes. The threaded end 12 may be wrappedwith a thread seal tape or PTFE tape 14 to seal the resultingconnection. An apparatus according to a first embodiment of theinvention for applying an adhesiveless tape to an article is showngenerally at 10 applying PTFE tape to the threaded end 12 of the pipe 8.Although the apparatus of the present invention is illustrated anddescribed as applying PTFE tape to threads of a pipe, it will beappreciated that other kinds of adhesiveless tape may also be applied bythe present apparatus, including, by way of non-limiting example, ribbonor other types of thread seal tape.

The apparatus 10 comprises a casing 20 supporting a spool (as shown inFIG. 2) of PTFE tape having a finger hole 30 through the center of thedispenser for receiving the finger of a user. The apparatus 10 may alsoinclude a dispensing portion 24 having a slot 26 there through forreceiving PTFE tape to be applied to the treaded end 12 of the pipe 8.In some embodiments, the slot 26 may squeeze or bear upon the PTFE tapeas it passes therethrough for the purposes of guiding the PTFE tape suchas, for example with a friction pad 27 as illustrated in FIG. 11. Itwill be appreciated that in some embodiments, the slot 26 may haveraised side walls or edges extending from the dispensing portion so asto enclose the slot 26 so as to prevent the PTFE tape 14 from beingdrawn from the apparatus 10 from a side direction. A slot 26 with suchside edges will fully enclose the slot 26 so as to retain the PTFE tape14 therein.

In operation, a user may place their finger through the finger hole 30and apply an end of the PTFE tape to the threaded end 12. Thereafter theuser may run their finger in a substantially circular motion around thethreaded end as indicated by arrow 56 such that the dispensing portion24 is maintained as the most proximate portion of the apparatus 10 tothe threaded end 12. Accordingly, it will be appreciated that theapparatus 10 is retained in a radial orientation as indicated by thearrow 58 about the threaded end 12 of the pipe 8 by the PTFE tape 14remaining in radial alignment with the pipe 8.

Turning to FIG. 2, an exploded view of one embodiment of the apparatus10 is illustrated. The apparatus 10 includes the back casing 22, a frontcasing 40, and a finger sleeve 50. As illustrated, a spool 80 of PTFEtape is retained between the front and back casings 40 and 22. The backcasing 22 includes a backing plate 32 and a spool support sleeve 34projecting therefrom. As illustrated the backing plate 32 has a circularoutline although it will be appreciated that other shapes may be usefulas well, such as for example, cup shaped. The back casing 22 may alsohave an enclosing wall 18 having a distal edge 19 extending around aperiphery thereof. The spool support sleeve 34 has an outer surface 36and an inner surface 38 and an end edge 39.

The front casing 40 comprises an annular front plate 42 adapted toretain the spool 80 of PTFE tape 14 between the front plate 42 and thebacking plate 32. The front casing also includes a front enclosing wall44 extending from the peripheral edge of the front plate 42. The frontenclosing wall 44 includes a distal edge 43 adapted to engage the distaledge 19 of the rear enclosing wall 18. The front plate 42 also has afront bore 46 therethrough defined by an inner edge 45 of the frontplate 42. The front bore 46 corresponds with and is adapted to engagewith the end edge 39 of the spool support sleeve 34. The finger sleeve50 comprises a cylindrical body having inner and outer surfaces 52 and54, respectively wherein the inner surface 52 defines the finger hole30.

The spool 80 of PTFE tape 14 comprises a central cylinder 82 having anouter surface 84 around which the PTFE tape 14 is wound and an innersurface 86. The spool 80 may optionally include first and second sidewalls 88 and 90, respectively. It will be appreciated that the PTFE tape14 may be wound directly onto the outer surface 84 of the cylinder 82.Optionally, the PTFE tape 14 may be wound onto a disposable cylinderthat is secured to the central cylinder 82 such that existing spools ofPTFE tape 14 may be used in the current apparatus without modificationor such that replacement spools of PTFE tape may be inserted into theapparatus 10.

The apparatus 10 is assembled by locating the spool 80 of PTFE tape 14on the outer surface 36 of the spool support sleeve 34. The front casing40 is then secured to the back casing 22 such that the end edge 39 ofthe spool support sleeve 34 engages the inner edge 45 of the front plate42 and the distal edge of the back enclosing wall 18 engages the distaledge 43 of the front enclosing wall 44. The front casing 40 may besecured to the back casing by providing a clip on one of the front orback casing that engages a corresponding catch or by any other knownmethod of securing two halves of a casing together. The finger sleeve 50is then located within the casing 20 such that outer surface 54 issupported within the bore defined by inner surface 38 of the spoolsupport sleeve 34. The finger sleeve 50 may be secured within the casing20 with a locking ring 53. As illustrated, the finger sleeve 50 mayinclude clips 55 at a free distal end 57 thereof for engaging thelocking ring. As illustrated in FIG. 2, the finger sleeve 50 and lockingring 53 may span both the front and back casings 40 and 22 so as toretain both of these components therebetween. This embodiment is alsoillustrated in cross section in FIG. 4. It will be appreciated that insuch embodiments, the casing 20 will not be openable without firstremoving the locking ring 53 from the finger sleeve 50. In alternativeembodiments, the locking ring 53 and finger sleeve may retain only thespool support sleeve 34 of the back casing 22 therebetween asillustrated in cross section in FIG. 5. In these embodiments, it will beappreciated that the casing 20 may be opened without the need todisengage the locking ring 53 from the finger sleeve 50 such that theapparatus 10 may be more readily refilled with new spools 80 of PTFEtape 14. Other connections between the finger sleeve 50 and the lockingring 53 may also be utilized, such as, for example, threading oradhesives. As illustrated, the finger sleeve 50, the spool supportsleeve 34 and spool 80 of PTFE tape 14 are coaxial about axis 28 in thepresent embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 3, the spool 80 of PTFE tape 14 is rotatable relativeto the backing plate 32 and spool support sleeve 34 such that the PTFEtape 14 may be unspooled therefrom as indicated by arrow 59. In otherwords, the tape spool 80 or reel is permitted to operate or rotaterelative to the casing 20 of the dispensing apparatus 10. This may beaccomplished by permitting the central cylinder 82 of the spool 80 ofPTFE tape 14 to resistively rotate relative to the spool support sleeve34. It will be appreciated that therefore the spool 80 of PTFE tape 14is rotating relative to the back casing 22 and therefore the casing 20as a whole. In operation, the spool 80 will be caused to be rotatedrelative to the casing 20 by the unwinding of the PTFE tape 14 therefromas the apparatus is rotated around a pipe 8 and the PTFE tape applied tothe pipe.

Turning now to FIGS. 12 a and 12 b, an apparatus 10 according to thepresent invention is illustrated in a plurality of positions whiledispensing PTFE tape 14 to the threaded end 12 of a pipe 8. Asillustrated in FIG. 12 a, the apparatus is oriented below the pipe 8such that the dispensing portion is oriented at the uppermost portion ofthe apparatus 10 approximate to the pipe 8. As illustrated in FIG. 12 a,the protrusion 66 and dispensing portion are radially aligned within theapparatus. As illustrated in FIG. 12 b, the apparatus 10 has now beenrotated around the pipe 8 wherein the dispensing portion is now orientedto the side of the apparatus 10 but still in the most proximate positionto the pipe of the apparatus end. It will also be observed that betweenthe positions illustrated in FIGS. 12 a and 12 b, the spool 80 of PTFEtape 14 has rotated relative to the casing of the apparatus in thecourse of unwinding the PTFE tape 14 from the spool 80. The amount ofrotation between the spool 80 and the casing 20 is illustrated by angle100 between the protrusion 66 and the dispensing portion 24.

The amount of resistance between the spool 80 of PTFE tape 14 and theback casing 22 is provided by a resistive device as further describedbelow and should be selected to prevent the PTFE tape 14 from freelyunrolling. In practice the amount of resistance between the spool 80 ofPTFE tape and the back casing 22 should be selected such that the PTFEtape 14 will not freely unravel from the apparatus 10 should theapparatus be dropped by the user. Put another way, the amount ofresistance between the PTFE tape and the backing body constitutes abraking mechanism and should be sufficient to support the weight of theapparatus 10 and the spool 80 of PTFE tape 14 when the apparatus issuspended by the free end 15 of the PTFE tape 14.

In some embodiments, the amount of resistance between the spool 80 ofPTFE tape 14 and the backing body should be selected to ensure that adesired amount of tension is applied to the PTFE tape 14 when in use bya user such that the PTFE tape 14 is embedded within the threads of thepipe 8. The amount of resistance should also be selected to be highenough to support the weight of the apparatus 10 with a full spool 80 ofPTFE tape 14 includes so as to prevent the unwinding of the PTFE tape 14from the apparatus should the user let go of the apparatus when a freeend of the PTFE tape is secured to the article. In addition, the amountof tension applied to the PTFE tape 14 should be less than the tensilestrength of the PTFE tape 14 so as to prevent unwanted breaking of thePTFE tape during application to an article. It will be appreciated thatthe actual amount of resistance provided by the apparatus shouldtherefore be selected based upon the type, width and thickness of theadhesiveless tape with which the apparatus is intended to be used.

The spool support sleeve 34 is also rotatable relative to a finger of auser located in the finger hole 30. This may be accomplished bypermitting the finger sleeve 50 to rotate relative to the spool supportsleeve 34. In such embodiments the finger sleeve 50 may be sized tosnuggly surround the finger of a user. In such an embodiment, the closesnug fit of the finger sleeve 50 on the finger of the user will alsoassist in preventing the user from inadvertently dropping the apparatus10. Roller bearings, journal bearings or bushings may be utilized topermit rotation of the spool support sleeve 34 on the finger sleeve 50.A pad 31 or other similar cushioning device may be provided within thefinger hole 30 so enable the finger hole 30 to snugly accommodate avariety of finger sizes. Optionally, a biased member 33 spanning thefinger hole as illustrated in FIG. 7 may be used to grip the finger of auser. A gripping member having semi-circular 35 and a biased wall 37 asillustrated in FIG. 8 may be located within the finger hole wherein thebiased wall 37 is adapted to grip the finger of a user. It will beappreciated that the finger hole 30 and any gripping device locatedtherein may be sized to fit a variety of fingers. It will also beappreciated that other support objects, such as, for example, rods andthe like may also be located within and gripped in the finger hole asdescribed above. Gripping the finger of a user within the finger hole 30will secure the apparatus 10 to the finger of the user when not in use.It will therefore be appreciated that gripping the finger with the pad31 or other similar device will prevent the apparatus 10 from beinginadvertently dropped.

As illustrated in FIG. 13, the apparatus 10 may be assembled without thefinger sleeve 50 such that the finger bore may be defined by the spoolsupport sleeve 34. In such an embodiment, the finger of the user may bereceived within the finger hole 30 formed by the spool support sleeve 34and may to freely rotate within the finger hole 30.

As illustrated in FIG. 3, the resistive device may include a biasedprotrusion 66 radially extending from the inner surface 86 of thecentral cylinder 82 of the spool 80. The protrusion 66 may be biased bya pair of biasing arms 67 extending circumferentially around the centralcylinder 82 to bias the protrusion 66 radially inward. An indexing ring60 is disposed on the outer surface 36 of the spool support sleeve 34.The indexing ring 60 comprises a plurality of alternating indentationsand ridges 62 and 64, respectively. The protrusion 66 cooperates withthe ridges 62 so as to index the motion of the spool 80 relative to thespool support sleeve 34 as the spool is rotated relative to the spoolsupport sleeve 34 in the direction generally indicated at 68. It willalso be appreciated that the outer sleeve may include the plurality ofalternating ridges and indentations while the spool support sleeve 34includes the protrusion 66 extending radially therefrom. It will also beappreciated that although two protrusions are shown in FIG. 3, a singleor a plurality of protrusions may be arranged around the centralcylinder 82. It will also be appreciated that the central cylinder 82 ofthe spool 80 may have a friction fit on the spool support sleeve 34 soas to provide the desired resistance.

In an alternative embodiment as illustrated in FIG. 4, the indexing ring60 may be disposed annularly around the side wall 88 of the spool 80. Inthis embodiment, the protrusion 66 is on a distal end of a biasing arm67 extending from the backing plate 32 of the back casing 22. It willalso be appreciated that the indexing ring 60 may be applied to the sidewall 90 of the spool 80 wherein the protrusion 66 extends from the frontplate 42 of the front casing 40. In addition it will be appreciated thatthe indexing ring 60 may be applied to the spool 80 while the protrusion66 extends from the portion of the casing corresponding to the locationof the indexing ring.

Turning now to FIGS. 5 and 6, an alternative resistive device isillustrated utilizing friction. The friction resistive device comprisesfriction pads 70 applied to the front and back plates 42 and 32 of thecasing at location adjacent to the sides of the spool 80. In embodimentswhere the spool does not have sides, the friction pads may be disposedadjacent to side edges 81 and 83 of the central cylinder 82. Asillustrated in FIG. 6, in embodiments where the spool includes sidewalls 88 and 90, the friction pads may be disposed adjacent to the sidewalls 88 and 90. It will also be appreciated that the friction pads maybe secured to the side walls or the side edges of the spool 80. Thefriction pads 70 will have a thickness sufficient to frictionally engagethe spool therebetween when the front and back casings 40 and 22 areengaged with each other. The friction pads will also have a sufficientthickness and coefficient of friction to provide an sufficient amount offriction to the spool 80 to resist the free unwinding of the PTFE tape14 therefrom while permitting the spool 80 to turn under the operationof the user to apply the PTFE tape to a article as discussed above.

With reference to FIG. 9, the casing 20 may be selectively openable soas to facilitate replacement of the spool 80 of PTFE tape 14 therein.The front casing 40 may include a turn latch 92 extending therefrom forengagement with a corresponding cam 94 extending from the back casing22. The turn latch 92 may be disengaged from the cam 94 to permit thefront and back casings 40 and 22 to be removed from each other. It willalso be appreciated that other types of couplings between the front andback casings 40 and 22 may also be used, such as, for example, tabs andthreaded couplings. In such embodiments, it will be appreciated thatthat the finger sleeve 50 will be supported entirely by the back casing22 as illustrated in FIG. 5. In such embodiments, the finger sleeve 50may include an end flange 51 adapted to surround the end edge 39 of thespool support sleeve 34. It will also be appreciated that the frontcasing 40 may also include an outer support sleeve 48 extending from theinner edge 45 of the front plate 42 to the backing plate 32 so as toprovide additional support to the front plate 42. In such embodimentsthe indexing ring 60 or protrusions may also be located on such outersupport sleeve if the outer support sleeve 48 surrounds the spoolsupport sleeve 34.

In other embodiments, the casing 20 will be unopenable so as to be adisposable unit in which the spool 80 of PTFE tape is not to berefilled. In such embodiments, finger sleeve may be supported by boththe front and back casings 40 and 22. It will be appreciated that insuch embodiments, the end flange 51 of the finger sleeve may bearagainst the front plate 42 as illustrated in FIG. 4.

Turning now to FIGS. 10 and 11, alternative embodiments of thedispensing portion 24 are illustrated. As illustrated in FIG. 10, thedispensing portion may include a plurality of rollers 110 through whichthe PTFE tape 14 is passes. It will be appreciated that although threerollers are illustrated, one, two or more than three may also beutilized. It will be appreciated that the rollers will provideadditional resistance to the free unravelling of the PTFE tape 14 fromthe apparatus 10. Optionally as illustrated in FIG. 11, the dispensingportion 24 may comprise first and second sides 120 and 122 wherein thefirst side extends further along the path of travel of the PTFE tape 14than the second side 122. It will be appreciated that in such anembodiment, the extended length of the first side 120 will facilitate auser being able to grab the end of the PTFE tape 14 when the tape istorn off close to the dispensing portion 24.

It will be appreciated that some embodiments of the present inventionwill be adapted to be able to receive existing PTFE tape rolls. It willalso be appreciated that in other embodiments of the present invention,the PTFE tape roll may be manufactured as a combined article fordisposal after use. In such embodiments the exterior components of theapparatus may be permanently affixed to each other. In addition, theroll of PTFE tape for such embodiments may also include one or more partof the indexing or breaking mechanism as described above for usespecifically with such a unitary article.

It will also be appreciated that specific rolls of PTFE tape includingsuch indexing or breaking mechanism may also be provided for use as areplaceable roll for a corresponding apparatus.

Although the present disclosure describes polytetrafluoroethylene tape,or PTFE, it will be appreciated that the apparatus and method will beuseful in association with other types of adhesiveless tapes as wellsuch as anti-seize tape including, by way of non-limiting example, otherPTFE tapes including, PTFE tapes having nickel, copper or ceramicsincluded therein as well as ribbons.

While specific embodiments of the invention have been described andillustrated, such embodiments should be considered illustrative of theinvention only and not as limiting the invention as construed inaccordance with the accompanying claims.

1. A method for dispensing non-adhesive tape carried on a spool to anarticle, the spool having a spool bore therethrough, the methodcomprising: providing a casing having a casing bore therethrough, saidcasing resistively and rotatably supporting the spool around said casingbore; supporting said casing on a support member located within saidcasing bore; securing a free end of the tape to the article through adispenser portion of said casing, and rotating said spool within saidcasing as to unwind the non-adhesive tape while said casing is movedaround the article with said dispenser portion maintained in radialalignment with the article.
 2. The method of claim 1 wherein saidsupport comprises a finger of a user.
 3. The method of claim 1 whereinsaid dispensing portion compressibly grips the non-adhesive tape.
 4. Themethod of claim 1 wherein said casing rotates around said support whilesaid casing is moved around said article.
 5. The method of claim 4wherein said casing rotates on said support.
 6. The method of claim 4wherein said casing rotates on a bearing secured to said support
 7. Anapparatus for dispensing non-adhesive tape carried on a spool to anarticle, the spool having a spool bore therethrough, the apparatuscomprising: a casing having a casing bore therethrough, said casing borebeing adapted to rotatably receive a support member therein; a spoolsupport for resistively and rotatably supporting the spool around saidcasing bore; and a dispenser portion located in said casing fordispensing said non-adhesive tape therethrough.
 8. The apparatus ofclaim 7 wherein said support member comprises a finger of a user.
 9. Theapparatus of claim 7 wherein said casing includes a sleeve, said sleevehaving said casing bore therein wherein said casing is rotatable aboutsaid sleeve.
 10. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein said sleeve and saidcasing include a bearing therebetween.
 11. The apparatus of claim 9wherein said sleeve has a central axis wherein said casing is rotatableabout said central axis.
 12. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein saidspool is rotatable about said central axis.
 13. The apparatus of claim 9wherein said sleeve is adapted to grip said support member.
 14. Theapparatus of claim 9 wherein said sleeve is adapted to slidably receivesaid support member.
 15. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said casingincludes a hub, said hub being concentric with said spool.
 16. Theapparatus of claim 15 wherein said one of said spool or said casingincludes a biased protrusion adapted to engage one of a plurality ofcorresponding notches in the other of said spool or said casing, saidplurality of notches being oriented radially around said casing boresuch that rotation of said spool within said casing will cause saidprotrusion to engage successive notches.
 17. The apparatus of claim 16wherein said notches are located on said hub, wherein said protrusionradially extends inwardly from said spool.
 18. The apparatus of claim 16wherein said spool includes a spool axis and sidewalls perpendicularthereto.
 19. The apparatus of claim 18 wherein said notches are locatedon at least one inner surface of said casing adjacent to said spoolwherein said protrusion extends from a corresponding sidewall to said atleast one inner surface.
 20. The apparatus of claim 18 wherein saidnotches are located on at least one side wall wherein said protrusionextends from a corresponding inner surface of said casing to said atleast one sidewall.
 21. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said spoolincludes an inner cylinder.
 22. The apparatus of claim 21 wherein saidcasing includes first and second sides wherein said inner cylinder isfrictionally engaged by said first and second sides of said casing. 23.The apparatus of claim 22 further comprising friction assisting padsbetween said inner cylinder and said first and second sides of saidcasing.
 24. The apparatus of claim 21 wherein said spool includes sidewalls extending radially from said inner cylinder.
 25. The apparatus ofclaim 25 wherein said casing includes first and second sides whereinsaid side walls are frictionally engaged by said first and second sidesof said casing.
 26. The apparatus of claim 25 further comprisingfriction assisting pads between said side walls and said first andsecond sides of said casing.
 27. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein saiddispenser portion frictionally bears against said non-adhesive tapepassing therethrough.